Neighbor Trouble

[Cygnet]

Auughhhh! Guess my good luck with having great neighbors has finally ended.

New neighbors. I'd actually planned on bringing over some eggs & introducing myself this morning. Looks like a family with several kids. Instead, I got an early introduction when their dog -- a LARGE pit bull/boxer type of mutt -- got in a through-the-fence fight with my dogs.

The dog was completely ignoring ME and their teenage children who were trying to catch said dogs. And tried to bite one of the boys when he grabbed it. No collar, it had slipped his collar, evidently -- was tied up. My dogs -- a dobie/heeler cross and an aussie/heeler cross -- immediately cut the fight out when I said, "Quit!" -- I didn't even have to raise my voice over the snarling, they KNOW to behave.

So they have an untrained large dog who ignores (or doesn't understand having never been taught) basic commands like, "Quit it!"

The dog also was charging the fence at my goats, who are worth some serious money (I've got Nigerians -- including a very well bred buckling I just bought who'd be two bites for that dog -- and an experienced pack goat in his prime) and are pets. I also have heritage turkeys and marans worth some money, so a loose large dog that can't be recalled is something I have issues with. I have good fences, but I've also learned the hard way that short of a block wall, there's not much that will stop a really determined dog.

Then I looked over to the back of my lot and realized these people, who've only been there a few days, had MOVED ONTO MY PROPERTY. They've cut down some of my trees, trimmed up others (butchered them) , and have their stuff on MY Property. And not just a little over the line, either -- a good 30-40 feet. Their house is 25 feet from the lot line.

My boundary markers are GONE on one corner, the corner they infringed on. Haven't checked the other. However, I know exactly where they were at because there's a railroad tie sunk in concrete a foot from where the official marker is. It's been there for decades. Unless they have a backhoe, they're not getting that out of the ground. So pbbbbbb. (Mine is a 2.4 acre lot -- theirs is a 1 acre lot.)

The missing boundary markers rather disturb me.

I went over and pointed out where the property line was. Reaction was ... dumb looks. I'm thinking that they think their 1 acre property extends a good way onto my property, when it ends just past their back door. I HATE it when city folk move to the country and think a 1 acre lot (which is probably only 150 feet deep) is the size of several football fields.

Not sure if they removed the boundary markers, or if the seller did and implied the lot was bigger than it was. The boundary marker was a t-post with a flag on it, so very obvious. (Most people don't realize how small an acre is. I've heard of this happening before.) Didn't get that far. Because I had to walk away before I said something REALLY rude that would make me real enemies.

Because I pointed out if their dog got in with my livestock and dogs there would be a HELL of a fight.

And the idiot goes, with a smirk, "Yeah, and my dog would win that fight."

My response was, "Yeah, and you'll end up paying the bills, too."

I walked away. I really don't want to fight with the neighbors.

But I'm heading into town today to go buy t-posts. I'll have them up by tonight, and fencing in the next few weeks.

I'm also extremely ticked over the damage to my trees. Trees (What they didn't cut down, they butchered. I'd been planning to fence this area off when I fenced the rest of my property soon anyway -- there was a kit fox (endangered species) living back there and dealing rather effectively with the gopher problem I've mentioned before. I like kit foxes. Also, that area was often used by Gambel quail for nesting.

I'm sure he's gone now.

Grr. I so did not need this.

[RockyRooster]

Cygnet, I am so sorry. I got mad just reading your post. Yeah and my dog would win that fight. Arrrggh.
Keep us posted.

[Highground]

If it were me I'd tell 'em to pay for the trees. Course the'll say they didn't do it. Then I'd get rid of their dog. Course I'd say I didn't do it.

[Cygnet]

THe value of the trees would be hard to determine. Most were small and grown from seed. They WOULD have been big someday, and in the meantime, were providing cover for wildlife.

Grrrr.

Ah, well, I'm going to grit my teeth and try to be nice.

And build a fence.

[pyrnad]

Originally Posted by Cygnet

THe value of the trees would be hard to determine. Most were small and grown from seed. They WOULD have been big someday, and in the meantime, were providing cover for wildlife.

Grrrr.

Ah, well, I'm going to grit my teeth and try to be nice.

And build a fence.

I wish you the best. If you call the forest service they can tell you about the trees(been there done that myself).
I hope you do well with this. If there is a morgage see if there is title insurance, or if you have it. If it gets sticky with the neighbors the title company will send a surveyor.
Remember if the dog gets in with your animals in most states you have a right to shoot it. And the dog owner is responsible for any injury to your livestock.
You are right most folks do not know what 1 acre is.

[Cygnet]

I'm out in the desert -- these were desert trees, and have little to no commercial value at that size. Not worth creating a fight over. and we don't, to the best of my knowledge, have a forestry department here.

Sigh.

[tamatik]

document..pictures and write down what was said ..by whom..and time.for future reffernece..also contact the police just as a precaution..tell them what happened and that the dog is very aggressive and they have been warned.He may not say anything to them at this time but will keep it on record for the next time.

[Bink]

Wow. I have to wonder in what part of the country having your dog SSS'd is considered a "win"?

As far as your neighbors--it's so sad when close relatives breed. Good luck with them. Document everything you can.

[edcopp]

If you don't want to fight with the new neighbors, you lose. End of story.

I would immidiately involve the sheriff's office for a report. Then file an action in small claims court, for all damages. This would definately include a definition (survey and staking) of the property line, at the expense of whoever is wrong. Perhaps the previous owner pulled the pins and misrepresented the sale. Or perhaps the new owner/occupand did it. Really does not matter, I would settle the matter right now in court.

Now if your new neighbor is not happy with the size of his new lot then let him move.

As for freerange "Pitt" crosses, they should have a habit of just coming up missing (SSS).

[Spotted Crow]

Take pictures of the downed trees and the missing marker. Then call the law and have them take a report. Also call AC and tell them about the dog harrassing your livestock.
I can't stand clueless people.

[doohap]

Originally Posted by Highground

If it were me I'd tell 'em to pay for the trees. Course the'll say they didn't do it. Then I'd get rid of their dog. Course I'd say I didn't do it.

I know this action's not always right, but ... I just love the way this reads!

[JJ Grandits]

OK, I hope I'm not stepping out of line here. The actions of your neighbors were wrong. If they are "city People" they probably don't have much of an understanding of what good country neighbors are. The big question is.....do you want to have a bad relationship with people who may live next to for many years to come? I would document any damages for safety's sake, But I also think you should offer an olive branch and try to smooth things over. I'm not saying roll over and be a door mat, what right is right. Be firm about your property, every inch of it. But be the bigger person and welcome them in spite. If it turns out well you may have made some new friends. If not you would have gained some respect, a good thing to have. Let them know that you really value your animals and that you would feel horrible if something went wrong and their dog was involved. Be nice, be firm, be cool, be calm. There is a certain group of people who are scared of a calm person.

[Cygnet]

JJ -- that's how I'm inclined to handle it, honeslty.

However, the children have dirt bikes.

*sob*

I was in the process of getting t-posts out of the car when the boy went zooming across my property on a pocket bike. OMG, I can't BELIEVE that. I'm fairly tolerant of people on bikes -- I ride an ATV myself occasionally, with due care taken not to trespass.

THis was just blatant. Right in front of me. And the kid KNOWS where the lot line is.

I think I need to have a talk with the parents later, if it happens again before I get the fence up ... However, they haven't even come out to be neighborly while I was stretching a line for the fence ... The dad was standing out back watching me, but didn't even walk up to say hello or be friendly or watch me pull the line. Geeze. I wasn't nasty to them at all earlier.

Off to pound t-posts.

[edcopp]

Originally Posted by Cygnet

JJ -- that's how I'm inclined to handle it, honeslty.

However, the children have dirt bikes.

*sob*

I was in the process of getting t-posts out of the car when the boy went zooming across my property on a pocket bike. OMG, I can't BELIEVE that. I'm fairly tolerant of people on bikes -- I ride an ATV myself occasionally, with due care taken not to trespass.

THis was just blatant. Right in front of me. And the kid KNOWS where the lot line is.

I think I need to have a talk with the parents later, if it happens again before I get the fence up ... However, they haven't even come out to be neighborly while I was stretching a line for the fence ... The dad was standing out back watching me, but didn't even walk up to say hello or be friendly or watch me pull the line. Geeze. I wasn't nasty to them at all earlier.

Off to pound t-posts.

Good luck. You get what you put up with.

[Barnboy]

Sounds like my neighbors. They leave trash on my property and own a pitbull. They drive on my property after a rain. Leave live fish on a stringer for 3 weeks. I finally cut the stringer and let the fish go. Last time they left their trash I loaded it up it the tractor bucket and dumped it in their front yard. Mom came out and told her I was giving her something to look at because she must enjoy it. I asked them before to watch the trash but she cant make these 23 year old lazy boys do anything. They dont work just sponge on mom and dad.As for the pitbull Next year I'll be packing a pistol. If it comes on my property its gone. I have 2 young boys. I dont want anything to happen to them. I hate pit bulls. You would think the parents would tell them boy's they cant have it due to my kids. They are just plain white trash!

[Cygnet]

Update -- first off, the bike I saw wasn't theirs. When I went back outside, it turned out to belong to my other neighbor's son -- I hadn't seen who it was riding through the dust. He was just checking out the work I was doing on the fence which is okay with me. (I get along very very well with them -- good people. I'd bet five bucks they show up tomorrow to help with the fence.)

As far as the NEW neighbors go, the grandma came home while I was working on the fence and came out and talked to me.

Grandma rules the roost, it seems; once she spoke to me, the kids warmed up. From what I could gather, there's a whole pack of kids ranging from baby up to late teens living there ... I have now met grandma, made friends with the younger kids (bunch of little animal-mad girls) and I'll work on the older kids.

I'm not sure how many kids exactly ... LOTS! The only other adult I saw was a man who I'd assumed was the dad, now I'm not how he fits into the puzzle. THe kids gave me differen answers when I asked, which probably reflects that they're not cousins and aunts and uncles to each other, not necessarily brothers and sisters. (I think I'll need to take written notes to keep everyone straight. And the kids assured me that this was NOT the entire family. There are more coming!)

Grandma asked where she could get supplies to fence the rest of the way around their property, apologized for the damage to the trees, and seemed like a nice lady. We'll see. I may be able to work with them, particularly since I now know who's in charge. And I sent her to my favorite feed store for supplies.

Offered to let them borrow my tools when they put the fence up around the rest of their property.

Grandma did confess to not knowing where her markers are for her lot line. I suggested she find out -- I may try to help her find them. I know MY markers don't mark her corners; her lot doesn't exactly line up with mine.

I set some t-posts 18" inside my lot line (to allow for electric on the fence). Will set some more tomorrow. Pull fence next weekend.

THis needed to get done anyway ... wth that dog, it's just better to do it sooner vs. later. (The dog remains the one issue -- with that many kids, sooner or later, some kid will let the dog loose.)

[MELOC]

there ya go. that sounds better already! now convince them to use a choker chain on that dog if they tie him out. maybe even one of those nasty ones with metal "fingers" on the inside of it.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by Cygnet

JJ -- However, they haven't even come out to be neighborly while I was stretching a line for the fence ... The dad was standing out back watching me, but didn't even walk up to say hello or be friendly or watch me pull the line. Geeze. I wasn't nasty to them at all earlier.

Off to pound t-posts.

If they are from the city don't take that personally. If city folk stopped to talk to their neighbors every time they saw them, they wouldn't get a thing done. Customs vary.

[Cloverbud]

Things may be better, but I wouldn't rule out high-speed lead poisoning as a cause of death for the dog. And I just don't understand not knowing where your lot line is...that's the first thing dh and I did--found our lot lines. Good Luck!

[bgak47]

I'd just kill em all & let GOD sort it out. Just Kidding...or maybe not...probably so.